Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview

by Ed Painter, Chase Freeman and Jeff HensleyNorfolk & Western Historical Society

Pocahontas Division Mainline OverviewRailfan Guide

NS U01, a call as needed job out of Williamson, eases up above the loader at Island Creek 25 to begin flood loading. - Ed Painter photo.

Engineer Jamie Staten and Conductor Paul Moore roll the 194 Time Freight east out of Hatfield Tunnel in Matwan,WV. - Ed Painter photo.

Engineer John Brown on the 81W rolls Weller-Bound empties east by Lick Fork Junction. - Ed Painter photo.

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Operations

These maps include the Pocahontas Divi-sion Mainline from Delorme to Williamson (part of the Williamson District from the south) and from Williamson to Kenova (part of the Kenova District to the north).

Points of Interest (south to north)Delorme Branch The Delorme Branch leaves the Pokey Main at Arrow, WV. This branch is home to two active operations. Each operation loads a couple trains each week. Lick Fork Branch The Lick Fork Branch leaves the mainline near the signal at Thacker, WV. This branch formerly served the huge Old Ben mine which closed in 1994.Matewan • Mate Creek Branch The Mate Creek

Branch split off in downtown Matewan. The branch has been out of service since 2008 and the switch has been removed from the main.

• Alma Branch The Alma Branch splits off the Pokey Main near the signal at Sprigg. It runs up to the now idle Sprouse Creek Prep. Plant. A red EX Southern GP30 still resides on the branch.

• Hatfield Twin Tunnels The Hatfield Twin Tunnels are located near the town of Mate wan. It’s a great shot on either side of the tunnels.

Williamson Yard Williamson Yard begins near MP 466 on the Pocahontas Mainline. Most trains stop here for a crew change.

Shifters are called out of here to work what mines are left running in the area. Minor classification goes on here. Williamson Passenger Station The Wil-liamson Passenger Station sits east of the crossovers at Armours near the West end of the yard. It makes for a great shot of trains passing by it.Nolan Branch The Nolan Branch splits off the main near MP 477. This branch currently has one active loader, Sidney Coal. This op-eration loads a couple of trains each week.

Lenore Branch (12 Pole Line) The Lenore Branch is part of the old alignment that was replaced with the current Big Sandy alignment. This branch leaves the main-line near MP 484. From here on west, the mainline mileposts are measured from the junction with this branch. This branch has 2 active loaders, Northland and Island Creek No.25. Both load several trains a week. This branch to Lenore is part of the original N&W 12 Pole Line. The line can be followed north from Lenore by highway that uses both orig-

inal tunnels and bridges including Dingess Tunnel. Wolf Creek Branch The Wolf Creek Branch splits off the main near MP NA 4.2 (NA for new alignment). This branch is unique be-cause it has CTC all the way up the hollow. There are currently two active mines on the Wolf Creek Branch, Pontiki and Pevler (Named for the President of the N&W at the time of the lines construction.). Both oper-ations load several trains each week.

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Operations

Marrowbone Branch The Marrowbone Branch splits off the Lenore branch near Naugatuck. This line serves the current-ly idle Consol Energy operation at Millers Creek. Tunnels (1–7) These tunnels are all part of the Big Sandy alignment. Most of the twelve pole line tunnels can be seen as well. These tunnels make for great picture opportuni-ties. Tunnel 2 is daylighted and Tunnels 5 and 6 are no longer in service.

Prichard Prichard (MP NA 46) is home to an old N&W coaling tower as well as a new intermodal facility. Kenova Kenova (NA 58.8) is home to a small yard to work the coal docks around that area. The Kanawha River Dock or KRT sits down near the river in Kenova. This op-eration has several locomotives included EX CN GP40-2Ws, a SD45, and an ALCO switcher. The Cyrus Dock sits east of Keno-va. This operation loads coal off the river as well as unloading it. Ohio River Bridge The massive Ohio River Bridge takes the Kenova District into the state of Ohio.Kenova Kenova Yard and the Wayne Branch that was also part of the original N&W 12 Pole Line. The Wayne Branch served the once very active mining complex at East Lynn.

NS 55R rattles over top of the Ohio River Bridge and the J11 shifter. J11 was taking PGNX empties to KRT to load at Kenova, WV. - Ed Painter photo.

In addition to coal, coke, and hopper trains that are far less frequent than in past years:

Pocahontas Division Mainline Scheduled Trains

Time Freight18M (Elkhart,IN-Linwood,NC) 17M (Linwood,NC-Elkhart,IN) 188 (Bellevue-Crewe)189 (Crewe-Bellevue)194 (Bellevue-Linwood)195 (Linwood-Bellevue)

Intermodel217 (Linwood-Chicago)218 (Chicago-Linwood)233 (Norfolk-Chicago)234 (Chicago-Norfolk)236 (Columbus-Norfolk)29G

Autoracks272 (Kansas City-Winston-Salem)

Additionally there are ethanol and grain trains that run most days.

POCAHONTAS DIVISIONEastern Region

Timetable Number

1In Effect

At 12:01 AM

Monday, August 4, 2008

Eastern Standard Time

For The Government of Employees Only

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Kenova Map 1

Kenova Yard

Kanahwa River Terminals

Wayne Branch - part of the original 12 Pole Line

CSX lines (in brown)

Ohio River Bridge

Ceredo Coal Docks (Transload)

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Neal Map 2


46

KENOVA DISTRICT WEST STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET

WILLIAMSON DISPATCHER ....................................... 622

10451 N 470.3 GATE .............................................................................. CP

10453 N 471.3 COLLEGE ....................................................................... CP

KENOVA DISPATCHER. .............................................. 621

10455 N 473.7 Falls Branch ................................................................. AS

10458 N 475.6 BORDERLAND .............................................................. CP

10460 N 477.6 NOLAN (CP Main 1, AS Main 2) ................................... CP

10464 N 480.9 Maher........................................................................... AS

N 481.9 HBD-DED (Maher, WV)

10467 N 484.3/ NAUGATUCK .............................................................Y CP

NA 0.0

10469 NA 1.7 Middle Panco ................................................................ AS

10470 NA 3.0 PANCO ........................................................................... CP

10468 NA 4.2 WOLF CREEK ............................................................Y CP

10472 NA 5.2 Kermit .......................................................................... AS

10473 NA 6.4 GREY EAGLE................................................................. CP

NA 6.8 HBD-DED (Grey Eagle, WV)

10482 NA 7.4 STEPTOWN .................................................................... CP

10476 NA 10.0 Stone Coal ................................................................... AS

10479 NA 12.4 TUNNEL 4 ...................................................................... CP

NA 15.5 HBD-DED (Tunnnel #7)

10483 NA 16.0 TUNNEL 7 ...................................................................... CP

10485 NA 18.9 Webb ............................................................................ AS

NA 21.9 NA 21.9 ........................................................................ AS

10491 NA 25.3 Glen Hayes .................................................................. AS

10494 NA 28.0 Columbia Coal and Gas HBD-DED (Columbia Coal).. AS

10496 NA 31.0 SEE ................................................................................. CP

10498 NA 31.7 HCD (See, WV)

10500 NA 34.2 Fort Gay ....................................................................... AS

10506 NA 37.1 Hewlett ......................................................................... AS

NA 40.1 HBD-DED (Hewlett, WV)

10508 NA 40.3 Hubbardstown .............................................................. AS

10509 NA 43.5 DEAN .............................................................................. CP

10513 Scales 10514 NA 46.5 PRICHARD ..................................................................... CP

10518 NA 49.1 Cyrus ........................................................................... AS

NA 51.1 HBD-DED (Cyrus, WV)

NA 51.2 Whites Creek ............................................................... AS

10522 NA 54.1 NEAL .............................................................................. CP

2 1

6292

LENORE

BR.

WOLF

CREEK

BR.

NOLAN BR.

47

KENOVA DISTRICT WEST STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET

KENOVA DISPATCHER ............................................... 621

10524 NA 57.0 57 CROSSOVER ............................................................ CP

10526 NA 58.8 KENOVA... ...................................................................... CP

10526 NA 58.9 COACH TRACK (Main 2 only) .......................................... CP

10526 NA 59.13/ N 567.9 Kenova Yard

N 568.3 WV/OH State Line

10527 N 569.1 HBD-DED (South Point, OH)

10528 N 570.0 SOUTH POINT, OH ........................................................ CP

10531 N 573.0 Rex .............................................................................. AS

10534 N 575.4 Coal Grove................................................................... AS

10537 N 579.1 IRONTON ........................................................................ CP

10536 N 579.2 HBD-DED (Ironton)

10541 N 582.6 Hanging Rock .............................................................. AS

10540 N 585.4 UNION ............................................................................ CP

10545 N 587.0 LAWRENCE ................................................................... CP

10546 N 588.8 Haverhill

10549 N 590.3 GENNETTS .................................................................... CP

10551 N 592.0 HBD-DED (Franklin Furnace)

N 594.0 Franklin Furnace .......................................................... AS

10556 N 596.2 Wheelersburg

N 596.9 WHEELERSBURG ......................................................... CP

N 599.6 Reinhards .................................................................... AS

COLUMBUS DISTRICT DISPATCHER ........................ 925

10557 N 602.1 STAR YARD (Yard Limits in effect on Main 2 only) ...... YL CP

N 603.7 Mill Crossover (westward Main 2 only) ........................ AS

10558 N 603.9 WEST AVENUE (Yard Limits in effect on Main 1 only) YL CP

10560 N 605.0 Portsmouth Yard

10565 N 605.9 GALIA STREET (Yard Limits in effect on Main 2 only) YL CP

N 606.3 Lincoln Street (Main 2 only) ........................................... AS

10562 N 606.7 WALLER STREET (Main 1 only) ........................................... CP

10564 N 607.5 SPRING LANE (Yard Limits in effect on Main 2 only) ........ CP

10566 N 608.5 VERA (Yard Limits in effect on Main 2 only) ................ YL CP

2 1

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | North of Prichard Map 3

Rail-Barge Coal Transload Facility


N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Prichard Map 4

Steam Era overhead coaling tower

Intermodal Terminal


N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Zelda Map 5


N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Fort Gay north Map 6


N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Fort Gay Map 7


N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Glenhayes north Map 8


N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Glenhayes Map 9

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Crum Map 10

Tunnel #4

Tunnel #7

Tunnels #5 and #6 were located in this area and are out of service

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Stonecoal and Kermit Map 11

Tunnel #2 (day lighted)

Tunnel #3

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Kermit to Naugatuck Map 12

Lenore Branch - part of the original 12-Pole Line to Lenore

Tunnel #1

Tunnel #2 (day lighted)

South end of the Big Sandy Line relocation (opened in 1905)

Wolf Creek Branch

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Naugatuck to Borderland Map 13

Nolan Branch

Lenore Branch

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Borderland to Williamson Map 14

Williamson Tunnel

Nolan Branch

6

POCAHONTAS/ WILLIAMSON DISTRICTS WEST STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


N 441.6 HBD-DED (Lindsey, WV)

10426 N 442.7 Lindsey ........................................................................ AS

10429 N 445.0 OUGHT-ONE .................................................................. CP

10430 N 445.8 DEVON ........................................................................... CP

10432 N 447.5 BEECH CREEK .............................................................. CP

10433 N 449.1 Cedar ........................................................................... AS

10435 N 451.5 Vulcan .......................................................................... AS

10436 N 453.4 ARROW (Main 1 only) ................................................... CP

10437 N 454.2 DELORME ...................................................................... CP

N 455.4 HBD-DED (Lick Fork, WV)

10440 N 455.7 Thacker ........................................................................ AS

10442 N 457.6 WHITE ............................................................................ CP

10443 N 460.0 McCARR ......................................................................... CP

10444 N 461.2 MATEWAN ...................................................................... CP

10446 N 462.7 SPRIGG .......................................................................... CP

10448 N 464.7 Merrimac ...................................................................... AS

10449 N 466.3 RAWL ............................................................................. CP

90451 N 467.5 SYCAMORE CUT ........................................................... CP

90452 N 468.2 NORTH YARD (eastward only) ..................................... CP

10451 N 468.3 Foot Bridge (eastward only) ........................................ AS

N 469.7 WILLIAMSON ................................................................. CP

N 470.3 GATE .............................................................................. CP

2 1

12850

11150

SS

BUC.MAINLINE

DELORMEBR.

MATECREEK

BR.

ALMABR.

WILLIAMSONNORTH YARD

WILLIAMSONNORTH YARD

LICKFORK BR.

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Williamson to Matewan Map 15

Alma Branch

Hatfield Tunnels

Alma Branch

Passenger Depot

Inactive Coal Loadout

Williamson Yard

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Matewan to Delorme Map 16

Delorme Branch

Alma Branch

Lick Fork Junction/Lick Fork Branch

N&WHS Railfan Guide | Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview | Timetables

36

DELORME BRANCH SOUTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


10436 N 453.4/ DB 0.0 ARROW

17814 Point Rock

17515 McCoy Alma

17816 DB 5.5 PHELPS

17819 DB 8.3 THOMAS

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween Rules Arrow and Thomas 171Thomas and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP DB 0.0 and MP DB 2.0 15MP DB 2.0 and MP DB 6.4 20MP DB 6.4 and End of Line 15

3. CHECKING LOCOMOTIVE SPEED INDICATORTests for accuracy will be made at the following locations and Engineers will adjust speed in accordance with any inaccuracy.

LOCATION OF TEST MILE SIGNS:None.

4. DIESEL UNIT RATINGSNone.

JAMBOREESPUR

McCoy Alma

Point Rock

38

JAMBOREE SPUR SOUTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


17816 DB 5.5/ JB 0.0 PHELPS

17820 Jamboree Loadout

17822 JB 6.0 CHISHOLM

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween Rules Phelps and Chisholm 171Chisholm and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP JB 0.0 and End of Line 15




5. LOCOMOTIVE AND CAR RESTRICTIONS

WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS

Loaded 4-axle cars may be handled up to the weight shown provided the stenciled Load Limit (weight of car and lading) is NOT exceeded: 286,000 lbs.

40

LICK FORK BRANCH NORTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


10439 N 455.3/ TE 0.0 LICK FORK JCT.

17821 TE 2.6 OLD BEN

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween Rules Lick Fork Jct. and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP TE 0.0 and MP TE End of Line 10




5. LOCOMOTIVE AND CAR RESTRICTIONSNone.

6. SWITCHES AND DERAILSNone.

Elda

42

MATE CREEK BRANCH NORTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


10444 N 460.5 / MATEWAN/ MC 0.0 MATE CREEK JCT. ....................................................... CP

17852 Mate Creek Loading

17855 MC 6.3 MABLEY

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween Rules Mate Creek Jct. and Mabley 171Mabley and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP MC 0.0 and End of Line 15





MATE CREEKENERGY

MATE CREEKLOADING


44

ALMA BRANCH NORTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


10446 N 462.5/ AL 0.0 ALMA JCT.

17874 AL 1.6 SPROUSE CREEK

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween Rules Alma Jct. and Sprouse Creek 171Sprouce Creek and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP AL 0.0 and End of Line 15





58

NOLAN SPUR SOUTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


10460 N 477.6/ NH 0.0 NOLAN ........................................................................... CP

19303 NH 2.3 Lizzann ........................................................................ AS

19302 NH 2.5 LONG FORK JCT.

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween RulesNolan and Long Fork Jct. 261Long Fork Jct. and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP NH 0.0 and MP NH 2.5 15MP NH 2.5 and End of Line 10





WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS


60

LONG FORK SPUR SOUTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


NH 2.5/ 19302 LF 0.0 LONG FORK JCT.

19322 LF 2.1 CJC ................................................................................. CP

19323 LF 3.5 DRT ................................................................................. CP

19324 LF 4.0 SIDNEY GUND JCT. ..................................................... CP

19326 LF 5.1 Gund ............................................................................ AS (eastward only — signal does not convey Track Authority)

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween RulesLong Fork Jct. and Sidney Gund Jct. 261Sidney Gund Jct. and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP LF 0.0 and End of Line 15





SG SP

6250

SS

62

SIDNEY SPUR SOUTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


LF 3.9/ 19324 SS 0.0 SIDNEY GUND JCT. ..................................................... CP

SS 0.9 MP 0.9 ......................................................................... AS

(eastward only — signal does not convey Track Authority)

19325 SS 4.5 ADDINGTON

19327 SS 5.6 COTTAGE

19347 SS 7.2 SIDNEY

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween RulesSidney Gund Jct. and Cottage 171Cottage and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP SS 0.0 and MP SS 7.2 15





WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS



64

LENORE BRANCH NORTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


10467 N 484.6 NAUGATUCK .............................................................Y CP

19403 N 485.6 MARROWBONE JCT. ................................................... CP

N 487.3 MP 487.3 ..................................................................... AS


19404 N 488.6/ LENORE L 0.0

19414 L 9.8 MILLSTONE

19422 L 15.9 SCARLETT GLEN

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween RulesNaugatuck and Marrowbone Jct. 261Marrowbone Jct. and Scarlett Glen 171Scarlett Glen and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP N 484.6 and MP L 15.9 15MP L 15.9 and End of Line 10





MBBR

66

MARROWBONE BRANCH NORTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


N 485.6/ 19402 MS 0.0 MARROWBONE JCT. ................................................... CP

MS 0.9 MP 0.9 ......................................................................... AS


19403 MS 1.7 MARROWBONE

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween RulesMarrowbone Jct. and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP MS 0.0 and End of Line 15





WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS


68

WOLF CREEK BRANCH SOUTH STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


NA 4.2/ 10468 WC 0.0 WOLF CREEK ............................................................Y CP

19202 WC 1.4 PILGRIM ......................................................................... CP

19205 WC 3.3 PETER CAVE ................................................................. CP

WC 5.0 MP 5 ............................................................................ AS

19207 WC 6.7 PIGEON ROOST ............................................................ CP

19210 WC 8.5 McCLURE ....................................................................... CP

19211 WC 11.8 BLUE BIRD .................................................................... CP

19218 WC 15.3 TOPTIKI .......................................................................... CP

19217 WC 17.2 ROWE ............................................................................. CP

19219 WC 20.0 MP 20 .......................................................................... AS

19223 WC 22.3 PEVLER .......................................................................... CP

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween RulesWolf Creek and Pevler 261Pevler and End of Line 137

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP WC 0.0 and MP WC 22.3 25



9560

9905

9700

70

WAYNE BRANCH WEST STATION SIDINGS NUMBER MP STATION IN FEET


19632 WB 7.6 EAST LYNN

WB 0.0/ 19325 N 543.1 WAYNE

19601 N 565.6 CEREDO

1. RULES IN EFFECT Main TrackBetween RulesCeredo and East Lynn 171

2. MAXIMUM SPEEDS Main TrackBetween MPHMP WB 7.6 and MP WB 4.4 15MP WB 4.4 and MP N 544.5 20MP N 544.5 and MP N 565.6 25




KENOVA YARD

COL SP

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Pocahontas Division Mainline Overview